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Response of Maize to FYM, Gypsum and Pore Volume of Leaching Water in Saline Sodic Soil of Bisidimo, Babile District, Eastern Lowlands of Ethiopia
Assefa Adane,
Heluf Gebrekidan,
Kibebew Kibret
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2015
Pages:
29-35
Received:
8 January 2015
Accepted:
29 January 2015
Published:
16 February 2015
Abstract: A green house experiment was conducted during Oct-Dec2012 to evaluate the efficiency of selected treatment combinations of FYM, gypsum and pore volume (PV) of leaching water on growth parameters (number of leaves, plant height, leaf area, fresh and dry biomass) of maize (Zea mays L.) crop. Treatments included the combinations of the two rates (0 and 20 t ha-1) of FYM, four rates of gypsum (0, 50, 75 and 100% gypsum requirement, GR) and three (1.0, 2.0 and 3.0) PV of leaching water arranged in complete randomized design with three replications. The results indicated that growth parameters of maize showed significant (p < 0.005) response to combined application of treatments. Similarly, the responses of growth parameters to combined application of gypsum and PV of water were also significant. Maximum growth parameters were observed in the plots that received 20 t FYM ha-1 + 100% GR + 3.0 PV of water compared to other combinations. Results also indicated that increasing the GR by 25% showed consistent improvement in crop growth parameters across each PV of leaching water. Analysis of the post harvest soils showed that soils received combined applications of treatments decreased pH, ECe and SAR of saline sodic soils. However, significantly (p < 0.01) higher decrease in pH, ECe and SAR were recorded in the combined application of 20 t FYM ha-1 + 100% GR + 3.0 PV of water. Combination of 20 t FYM ha-1 + 50% GR + 3.0 PV of leaching water reduced pH, ECe and SAR by 7.5, 23.5 and 10.0% over the control, respectively. This combination is deemed suitable for improving soil properties to agriculturally permissible limits and for optimal maize crop production. Hence, this combination can be recommended for the production of economically optimal maize crop production in saline sodic soil of Baile low lands.
Abstract: A green house experiment was conducted during Oct-Dec2012 to evaluate the efficiency of selected treatment combinations of FYM, gypsum and pore volume (PV) of leaching water on growth parameters (number of leaves, plant height, leaf area, fresh and dry biomass) of maize (Zea mays L.) crop. Treatments included the combinations of the two rates (0 an...
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Assessment of Decomposition Rate and Soil Nutrient Status under Different Woody Species Combination in a Tree Plantation
I. O. Faboya,
S. I. Adebola,
O. O. Awotoye
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2015
Pages:
46-54
Received:
11 November 2014
Accepted:
27 November 2014
Published:
2 March 2015
Abstract: Forest Litter is the major input determining the nutrient accumulation within the forest soil ecosystem which goes a long way in determining forest stand productivity. To better understand this, the study investigated the litter decomposition rate and soil nutritional status under different woody species combinations in tree plantation established in 1998. Four different pocket of tree combinations Terminalia sp and Tectona grandis (1); Gmelina arborea and Tectona grandis (2); Khaya sp and Tectona grandis (3); Theobroma cacao and Cola sp. (4) were used, while undisturbed natural forest served as the control. Three plots (25 m x 25 m) were randomly mapped out of each site in which fresh litter were collected with litter trap (1 m x 1 m ) and 45 litter bags were placed and 90 composite soil samples to the depths of 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm collected using a stainless steel auger. These collections followed the principle of co-location in each of the plots. Litter bag technique was used for Litter decomposition rate. The results of the litter accumulation in the forest plantations were in the magnitude of Tectona grandis and Gmelina arborea (1249.2 kgha-1) > Teak and Khaya sp. (899.42 kgha-1) > Teak and Terminalia sp., (867.58 kgha-1) > natural forest (489.96 kgha-1) Cocoa and Cola (199.87 kgha-1). The decomposition rates under Tectona grandis and Khaya sp., Tectona grandis and Gmelina arborea mixtures were higher than other tree species mixtures. The rate of decomposition under Tectona grandis and Gmelina arborea mixtures was 5.3 times higher than that of Tectona grandis and Terminalia sp., Cocoa and Cola combinations and natural forest at 6 weeks. At 15-30 cm soil depth, the C/N ratio was in the magnitude of Tectona grandis and Gmelina arborea (8.6:1) < Cocoa and Cola (9.3:1) < Tectona grandis and Khaya sp. (9.8:1) < Tectona grandis and Terminalia sp. Natural forest (11.7:1). The organic carbon and available nitrogen at 0-15cm soil depth under Tectona grandis and Khaya sp. combinations were significantly lower compared with other trees species combinations. However, the available phosphorus was significantly higher under Tectona grandis and Terminalia sp. compared with other tree species combinations. The dendograme indicated that the soil characteristics in the various tree species combinations plot were similar up to 50% with four clusters. The observed relative nutrient availability within the structurally different forested ecosystem in the study area might not be unconnected to the litter mixtures emerging from different tree combinations.
Abstract: Forest Litter is the major input determining the nutrient accumulation within the forest soil ecosystem which goes a long way in determining forest stand productivity. To better understand this, the study investigated the litter decomposition rate and soil nutritional status under different woody species combinations in tree plantation established ...
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Effect of Some Micro-Catchment Water Harvesting Techniques on Some Soil Physical Properties
Azmi Elhag Aydrous,
Abdel Moneim Elamin Mohamed,
Hussein Mohammed Ahmed Abuzied,
Salah Abdel Rahman Salih,
Mohamed Abdel Mahmoud Elsheik
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2015
Pages:
55-58
Received:
4 February 2015
Accepted:
19 February 2015
Published:
2 March 2015
Abstract: The experimental work was conducted at Jebel Awlia locality 40 kilometers south of Omdurman city during 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 rainy seasons to investigate the effect of micro-catchment water harvesting techniques on some soil physical properties. Techniques used were, semi- circular, V-shaped, pits, deep ditches and land without water harvesting technique control. Soil properties studied were infiltration rate, saturation percentage, bulk density and the percentages of clay, silt and sand. The results showed that infiltration rates in all treatments were lower than that of the control, the mean differences between treatments were not significant in the first season but significantly lower means were obtained by the semi circular and pits in the second season. Saturation percentage in both seasons, were significantly lower after rainfall as compared to that before rainfall for all treatments. Except for the semi-circular and the V-shaped treatments in both seasons and deep ditches in the first season and pits in the second season, bulk density after rain fall was significantly lower than that before rainfall. Clay content in both seasons was not significantly affected by the water harvesting techniques, except under deep ditches in the second season and overall in both seasons. Silt content, in both seasons, was not significantly influenced by the technique for all treatments, except during the first season, in which the techniques before rainfall had a significantly higher mean as compared to that after rainfall. Effect of the water harvesting technique on sand content had insignificant effect, except the overall mean of the techniques during the second season, in which before rainfall was significantly higher as compared to that of the control treatments.
Abstract: The experimental work was conducted at Jebel Awlia locality 40 kilometers south of Omdurman city during 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 rainy seasons to investigate the effect of micro-catchment water harvesting techniques on some soil physical properties. Techniques used were, semi- circular, V-shaped, pits, deep ditches and land without water harvesting ...
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Preferences of ICT Tools by the Upazila Agriculture Officers (UAOs) for the Information Exchange in Bangladesh
Khondokar Humayun Kabir,
Debashis Roy
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2015
Pages:
59-65
Received:
25 February 2015
Accepted:
9 March 2015
Published:
14 March 2015
Abstract: The purpose of the study was to investigate the preferences of ICT tools by the Upazila Agricultural Officers, Bangladesh for the exchange of information. Data were collected using distributed questionnaires among the respondents. The findings showed that majority of the respondents (93.8%) had highly favorable attitude towards ICTs while 6.3% percent had moderately favorable attitude and there was no respondent had slightly favorable attitude towards ICTs. It also found that the highly preferred ICT tool by the UAOs is cell phone (1.76) and the second highly preferred tool is tab with the mean value 1.74, and on the other hand, internet (1.31) is the least preferred tools by the respondents. Correlation showed that age, job duration, personality characteristics, ambition and access to ICT tools showed significant relationship with the preferences of ICT tools by the UAOs. Challenges in using ICTs revealed that load shedding problem (2.21), lack of training facilities (2.19) and indifferences of farmers to get information through ICT (2.19) are the major challenges faced by the Upazila Agriculture Officers. Thus, it can be recommended that more ICT tools should be made available to the respondents with properly addressing the challenges so that they will be able to choose from various alternatives and also be able to gather and disseminate useful information to the farmers.
Abstract: The purpose of the study was to investigate the preferences of ICT tools by the Upazila Agricultural Officers, Bangladesh for the exchange of information. Data were collected using distributed questionnaires among the respondents. The findings showed that majority of the respondents (93.8%) had highly favorable attitude towards ICTs while 6.3% perc...
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Economic Assessment of New Herbicides Used to Fight the Weeds in Wheat
Vasko Nikolov Koprivlenski,
Maya Dincheva Dimitrova,
Ivan Stoyanov Jalnov,
Ilian Dimitrov Zheliazkov,
Plamen Ivanov Zorovski
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2015
Pages:
66-70
Received:
4 March 2015
Accepted:
18 March 2015
Published:
21 March 2015
Abstract: Within the period 2011-2014, at the experimental base of the Agricultural University – Plovdiv we conducted field experiments with new herbicides in wheat. Based on the obtained results, we made a summarized economic assessment of the chemical fight against weeds. We established the amount of production expenses needed for growing wheat in 10 tested variants including 9 treated with herbicidal preparations. It was found the critical levels of the yield for each variant as well as the factors determining them. The economic effectiveness of production has been analyzed using a system of various indicators: the value of the permanent and variable costs per unit of area; the level of the average yield; the value of the total revenue per unit of area; the amount of the profit from 1 ha; the prime cost of the production and the profitability rate. The highest average yield was obtained from the variants treated with herbicides: Axial 1 plus 050 EK (5180.60 kg/ha); Sekator OD (5200.00 kg/ha) and Pasifica VG (5210, 46 kg/ha). Upon the application of these herbicides, the rate of increase of the additional production from unit of area exceeds the rates of the investments made. This makes the use of these herbicides economically substantiated. With the exception of the untreated control sample, all other herbicides give good economic results from the production of wheat, a sufficient profit rate from unit of area and profitability ranging from 20% to 22%.
Abstract: Within the period 2011-2014, at the experimental base of the Agricultural University – Plovdiv we conducted field experiments with new herbicides in wheat. Based on the obtained results, we made a summarized economic assessment of the chemical fight against weeds. We established the amount of production expenses needed for growing wheat in 10 teste...
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Evaluating the Efficacy of Pituitary Gland Extracts and Ovaprim in Induced Breeding and Fry Quality of Clarias gariepinus, Burchell (Pisces: Claridae)
Efe Okere,
Ebere Samuel Erondu,
Nenibarini Zabbey
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2015
Pages:
71-76
Received:
2 March 2015
Accepted:
17 March 2015
Published:
24 March 2015
Abstract: This study compared the effectiveness of Ovaprim and pituitary gland extract (PGE) in induced spawning of the African mud catfish, Clarias gariepinus, using reproductive output and fry quality indices. At a mean temperature of 26.0 ±0.700C, latency period for Ovaprim and PGE were 613 and 745 minutes, respectively. Workers fecundity was significantly higher (p<0.05) for brooders treated with Ovaprim (36086.00 ±7215.50eggs) than PGE induced spawners (20978.00 ±6782.15 eggs). Hatching rates also followed the same trend, in which significantly higher hatching success was recorded for Ovaprim ovulated eggs (83.5%) than PGE induced eggs (63.7%). Fry survival rate was 81.90 ±1.10% for Ovaprim treated fish, while PGE induced fish fry had 77.73±1.33%; percentage deformed fry was significantly minimal for Ovaprim treated. However, all Ovaprim-treated spent fish died few hours post stripping, contrary to PGE spent brooders that were fully recovered. Production cost analyses revealed that the use of Ovaprim resulted in about 25% cost reduction. It is thus concluded that Ovaprim is superior to PGE in induction of breeding in Clarias gariepinus. This notwithstanding, the mortality suffered by all the spent fish treated with Ovaprim raises food safety concerns. This however, needs to be validated.
Abstract: This study compared the effectiveness of Ovaprim and pituitary gland extract (PGE) in induced spawning of the African mud catfish, Clarias gariepinus, using reproductive output and fry quality indices. At a mean temperature of 26.0 ±0.700C, latency period for Ovaprim and PGE were 613 and 745 minutes, respectively. Workers fecundity was significantl...
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Factors Influencing Pesticide Use in Smallholder Rice Production in Northern Ghana
Benjamin Tetteh Anang,
Joseph Amikuzuno
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2015
Pages:
77-82
Received:
23 March 2015
Accepted:
3 April 2015
Published:
15 April 2015
Abstract: Rice production is an important economic activity among smallholder farmers in northern Ghana serving as source of income and household food security. The production of rice is often associated with the use of pesticides to control harmful pests of rice, a practice which also poses environmental and human health risks. The study sought to investigate the factors which influence smallholder rice farmers’ use of pesticides in rice farming in northern Ghana. Rice farmers were selected from three irrigation schemes in northern Ghana, namely the Botanga, Tono and Vea Irrigation Schemes. A multi-stage stratified random sampling technique was used to identify 300 rice farmers who were interviewed with a semi-structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed both descriptively and inferentially. A probit model was used to study the determinants of pesticide use. The study showed that farm size, farm income, mechanization, extension contact, distance to source of pesticide and production system were the influencial factors in rice producers’ choice to use pesticide in rice farming. The study recommends extension education to farmers on pesticide use in order to avoid misuse and the risks factors associated with improper application.
Abstract: Rice production is an important economic activity among smallholder farmers in northern Ghana serving as source of income and household food security. The production of rice is often associated with the use of pesticides to control harmful pests of rice, a practice which also poses environmental and human health risks. The study sought to investiga...
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